Helping those who served our country

The Othello Lions Club understands how important it is to help support those who take the time to advocate for others. That’s why, each year, they give a donation to an organization that goes above and beyond.

Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Lions members donated a check to Service Peace Warriors, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans in need with service dogs specially trained to help them live their daily lives to the fullest.

Service dogs have powerful noses that can be used for veterans suffering from night terrors, help them into a chair if they fall, provide balance, carry medications and more. They also help them get up and moving.

Chance Mattox said the idea first began with his mother, Mary, who suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder going back to her childhood. It wasn’t unusual for her to drop into a catatonic state for short periods of time during which she was blind and unable to hear.

When he was 15 years old, his German shepherd Cloud alerted his father, Scott, to his mother having an episode. She continued to use Cloud until they were able to find her a service dog of her own. That dog was able to alert them an hour before she would have an attack. It also carried her medications for her in case she needed them.

“Mom came up with the idea to get dogs to servicemen with PTSD,” Mattox said. “So far, we have given out 26 dogs, and the vets say they have saved their marriages and their kids from anger issues.”

Currently, the organization has 16 puppies that will be ready for vets in the fall, 12 more recently born and another litter expected in the next couple of weeks. And each and every one will be trained to help a veteran with PTSD.

Service Peace Warriors is based out of Eltopia, but it covers the entire Northwest. It begins training the dogs from day one, first to use scent, then eyes and finally hearing.

Former service members are recommended by the Veterans Administration. Veterans must be honorably discharged and undergo an interview process to make sure they can properly care for the dog. Once qualified, the veteran trains with the dog for eight weeks and is recertified every three months.

Most of the dogs are bred at the ranch, but a few rescues have also been used. Each dog costs $32,000 and is given freely to a veteran who needs it. Mattox shoulders some costs by running a dog training academy. All donations go directly to the dogs, and this summer, Mattox will be going to Washington, D.C., to see if the Paws Patriots Act can help cover some of the expenses.

Once a dog is paired with a partner, the service member has to understand that these animals cannot be treated like a pet. These are working animals that need to constantly be reminded of their job. Mattox said a pet is meant to be a buddy, but a service dog is there to help.

“The dogs belong to us; they are on loan,” he said. “If neglected, we will give them to someone more deserving.”

Unfortunately, not all dogs have the potential to be a service animal, Mattox said. They must show self-confidence and independence from the start. If they are unable to make it, they are adopted out through Mikey’s Chance Canine Rescue in the Tri-Cities.

“They help us out a lot,” Mattox said.

The dogs are given out once they have mellowed and matured, usually one to two years of age. The training is consistent, calm and assertive, helping to build the dog’s self-confidence.

Trigger, one of the dogs currently in training, accompanied Mattox to the Lions meeting.

For more information, Mattox can be contacted at (509) 539-7962, or see the website at www.servicepeacewarrior.org.

“Twenty-four veterans are lost to suicide each day now,” Mattox said. “We want to get the word out to save lives.”